Flyers Select Sean Couturier Eighth Overall
Friday, 06.24.2011 / 11:04 PM
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philadelphiaflyers.com
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The Philadelphia Flyers have selected 6’4’’, 197-pound center Sean Couturier eighth overall at the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft on Friday, June 24 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
“All of our guys like him,” said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. “He’s a well-rounded player right now and at a young age. He’s very competent in his own zone and obviously he’s a guy that can add some offensive pop as well.”
Couturier, 18 (12-7-1992), recorded 36 goals and 60 assists for 96 points in 58 regular season games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this past season. He led the team in assists (60), tied for the team lead in points (96 – 4th in QMJHL) and finished second on the team in goals (36). He also led the club in plus/minus rating (+55 – 2nd in QMJHL), points-per-game (1.66), and tied for the team lead in short-handed goals (4).
“I was just enjoying the moment. I'm really happy to be part of the Philadelphia Flyers. It's a great honor. It's a wonderful day,” said Couturier. “I’m pretty reliable defensively, and offensively I’m pretty good at protecting and controlling the puck.”
Couturier led his team in the QMJHL playoffs with 11 points (6G-5A) in 10 games and was later named the QMJHL’s Most Valuable Player, the Top 2011 Draft Prospect and selected a First-Team All-Star.
In 2009-10, Couturier led the QMJHL in scoring with 96 points (41G-55A), becoming the first 17 year-old to lead the league in scoring since Sidney Crosby (Rimouski) in 2004-05. He also led the team with a plus/minus rating of +62.
Over the course of three seasons, all with Drummondville, Couturier has recorded 86 goals and 137 assists for 223 points in 184 regular season games, finishing with a career plus/minus mark of +141. He also recorded 37 points (17G-20A) in 43 career QMJHL playoff games.
A native of Phoenix, Az., his father, Sylvain, was drafted 65th overall by Los Angeles in 1986 and played 33 games with the Kings between 1988-89 and 1991-92 – he is now the General Manager of the Acadie-Bathurst Titans in the QMJHL.
Secure your seats for next season with a full season ticket package! Flyers Season Ticket Holders have access to exclusive benefits and tickets as low as $42 a game. Call 215-218-PUCK (7825) or visit PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.
“All of our guys like him,” said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. “He’s a well-rounded player right now and at a young age. He’s very competent in his own zone and obviously he’s a guy that can add some offensive pop as well.”
Couturier, 18 (12-7-1992), recorded 36 goals and 60 assists for 96 points in 58 regular season games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this past season. He led the team in assists (60), tied for the team lead in points (96 – 4th in QMJHL) and finished second on the team in goals (36). He also led the club in plus/minus rating (+55 – 2nd in QMJHL), points-per-game (1.66), and tied for the team lead in short-handed goals (4). “I was just enjoying the moment. I'm really happy to be part of the Philadelphia Flyers. It's a great honor. It's a wonderful day,” said Couturier. “I’m pretty reliable defensively, and offensively I’m pretty good at protecting and controlling the puck.”
In 2009-10, Couturier led the QMJHL in scoring with 96 points (41G-55A), becoming the first 17 year-old to lead the league in scoring since Sidney Crosby (Rimouski) in 2004-05. He also led the team with a plus/minus rating of +62.
Over the course of three seasons, all with Drummondville, Couturier has recorded 86 goals and 137 assists for 223 points in 184 regular season games, finishing with a career plus/minus mark of +141. He also recorded 37 points (17G-20A) in 43 career QMJHL playoff games.
A native of Phoenix, Az., his father, Sylvain, was drafted 65th overall by Los Angeles in 1986 and played 33 games with the Kings between 1988-89 and 1991-92 – he is now the General Manager of the Acadie-Bathurst Titans in the QMJHL.
Secure your seats for next season with a full season ticket package! Flyers Season Ticket Holders have access to exclusive benefits and tickets as low as $42 a game. Call 215-218-PUCK (7825) or visit PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.
